The Experience

The visitors’ book glows: some have called Prato di Sotto “heaven on earth”. Penny has nurtured the hilltop farmhouse and its 14th-century outbuildings resplendently back to life – French beams were imported for the ceilings, the doors leading to the library come from a monastery, some fireplaces are Umbrian. Sri Lankan armchairs live harmoniously alongside antique mirrors, deep sofas, cushions, kilims and deliciously comfortable beds, and the kitchens have been designed with serious cooking in mind – one of Penny’s passions. ‘Casa Antica’ is deeply luxurious with many bedrooms and bathrooms, a dining terrace and an upstairs balcony/terrace with stupendous views. ‘La Terrazza’ has a large terrace draped in wisteria and white roses; the ancient olive mill is a romantic studio with a huge veranda; the cottage, too, has a private terrace and a glorious view. Borrow a friendly dog for your rambles across the hills, swim in the fabulous infinity pool, relax in gorgeous gardens and total peace. Penny cares for you as family friends and provides fresh-laid eggs and organic homemade jams for breakfast.

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Essentials

Hot tub

WiFi

Swimming pool

Mobile reception

Oven

Open fire / woodburner

Hob

Parking on premises

Barbecue

Free parking nearby

Meals available

Paid parking nearby

Breakfast available

Accessible by public transport

Central heating

Wheelchair access

Limited mobility

Air conditioning

Washing machine

Garden

Television

Tennis court

Pets welcome

Family friendly

Baby monitor

Children welcome

Books and toys

Babies welcome

Stair gates

High chair

Nearby

Pub/bar within 3 miles

Restaurant within 3 miles

Shop within 3 miles

Activities

Bikes available

Food courses

Kayaking

Other courses

Sailing

Surfing

Wild swimming

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Information & pricing

Booking information

Check in

4pm

Check out

10.30am

Booking restrictions

Minimum stay 3 nights. Short breaks available. Pets by arrangement.

Closed

December-March.

No smoking

Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.

Owner has pets

Animals living on the property.

Meals

Breakfast & dinner on request. Restaurants 20-minute drive.

Pricing

Nightly price

from €125

Weekly price

from €500

1 House for 8

From €2505 beds4 bedrooms

1 Apartment for 4

From €1252 beds2 bedrooms

1 Cottage for 2

From €1251 bed1 bedroom

1 Studio for 2

From €1251 bed1 bedroom

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Reviews

Nothing can quite prepare you for what you will find on the long drive up the 'Strada Bianca' to Pratto di Sotto. My family first made that journey18 years ago and it is a place that has remained in all of our hearts since. It was a very special place then and remains so today as affirmed by our recent stay in La Capanna, an idyll for a couple.
It is all too easy to go overboard with superlatives but what Penny has created deserves them. She took on a group of derelict buildings on top of a hillside and worked tirelessly, with extraordinary resillience to create something totally unique.

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Karen, BristolOct 2017

FOLLOWING AN ANXIOUS DAY OF TRAVEL DUE TO MOTORWAY PROBLEMS THE OWNER PENNY STAYED UP VERY LATE KEEPING IN TOUCH WE ARRIVED AT THIS WONDERFULL HIDEAWAY OUR TRAVEL PROBLEMS WERE SOON FORGOTTEN . PENNY WHO IS A FANTASTIC HOST WITH A WONDERFUL KNOWLEDGE OF THIS AREA. A MEMORABLE PLACE TO STAY

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Alan, BridgendSep 2017

Prato di Sotto may have one of the loveliest swimming pools I've had the pleasure of using - the pictures don't do it justice!
Penny is kind and funny, the perfect host and cannot do enough for you, whether it be booking restaurants, lending guide books, or popping by with homemade jams.
We fell in love with her rescue dogs and Matisse the cat, and the other guests were so friendly that we could not have felt more comfortable.
The area is remote but has plenty of really excellent restaurants within a few miles drive as well as pretty rolling hills, and above all - utter tranquility.

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Emma, LondonAug 2017

My fifth visit and it was as perfect as the first time! It's a little piece of heaven in the hills of Umbria. penny and her dogs are very welcoming - beautiful villas and wonderful pool. I'm looking forward to visit number six!

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Kate, Norwich Jul 2017

A wonderful rural retreat away from 21st century urban pressures. Comfortable & spacious rooms uniquely furnished with antiques and interest. glorious terrace and a view where you cant see another house. Not for night club seekers

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Natalie, LondonJun 2017

It's three years since we last visited Prato di Soto. We made the right decision to return to find peace and tranquility in an area of truly outstanding beauty and amazing towns and villages. As ever, Penny helped us with her encyclopedic knowledge of the area. Her recommendations, whether of places to visit or of restaurants, were excellent. The road up the hill required a little stamina but when you get there, Prato di Soto is a place we did not want to leave. We cannot recommend it too highly for a holiday away from the pressures outside.

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Peter, IlkleyJun 2017

Idyllic mountain location with breathtaking views. Beautiful old stone
buildings that have been sensitively and charmingly refurbished and
redecorated. Gorgeous pool. Perfect place to relax and get away from it
all. But if feeling energetic, it's a short drive to Perugia, Assisi and
others for exploration. One week was not enough.

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AynsleyMay 2017

Prato di Sotto is a beautiful place to stay in a tranquil hillside setting. All the rooms are beautifully presented and equipped. The welcome is warm and the pool inviting. There is nothing to no love about this place. We were very sad to leave after a wonderfully relaxing week. The region also offers endless places of interest to visit and plenty of restaurants to sample delicious food.

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Mary, LondonMay 2017

Staying at Pratto di Sotto is a magical experience to remembered forever. The buildings, the comfort, the extraordinary views over the lush, green mountains & hills, the fantastic, spring water fed, horizon pool in which to cool, the trips to the local markets to buy wonderful, fresh, local food, our amazing hostess, Penny, who created all this and made us so welcome and could lead us to anything we could possibly want to find or know. To visit this place is an experience to be cherished forever. Go!

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Miranda, Bishop's castle, shropshireMay 2017

On a beautiful secluded hillside in Puglia we found an oasis of peace and tranquility. It was matched by Penny's warmth, hospitality and quiet attention to detail. Our stay provided everything we needed, walks, visits to the beautiful towns and villages which surround it, a recommended restaurant where we had exquisite food and on return feeling totally enveloped by the restorative surroundings of Prato di Sotto. Penny is the author of this beautiful property and you can certainly feel the love which has gone into the foundations of this restoration.

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Jane, PenrithSep 2016

Absolutely wonderful place to stay in the beautiful and peaceful Umbrian countryside. Very stylish interior designed apartments in historic buildings set in lovely gardens. Penny is a fantastically knowledgeable host and made every effort to ensure we enjoyed the stay. I'm a regular and look forward very much to my next trip. Hopefully very soon!

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Stefano, LondonSep 2016

Prato di Sotto is a magical paradise. The situation is stunning, high above beautiful green Umbrian valleys, overlooking a medieval village, nestled among olive groves. The apartments are beautiful - not suprising that they've featured in design magazines. The pool is fed by a mountain stream. And the owner works really hard to look after her guests, whether it's booking out of the way restaurants, telling you how to beat the traffic in Perugia, finding you fine wine to taste or a lovely horse to ride through the forests.

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Celia, Sherborne, dorsetSep 2016

We have been visiting Penny at Prato Di Sotto for over 15 years because for us it is the most idyllic and peaceful place to holiday.
The walks, the peaceful swimming pool and the views from every part of the property are just some of the highlights. It sits in a great location enabling you to do plenty of sightseeing if you wish or just take in the relaxed atmosphere of plenty Umbrian villages and towns.
Fabulous and very relaxing.

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Peter, SissinghurstAug 2016

We had a lovely stay in studio Il Molino. It has a beautiful view over the surrounding wooded hills and valley. It is very tastefully decorated inside and has a well-equipped kitchen, and a nice private terrace to chill or eat al fresco. The large swimming pool is really fantastic. The owner, Penny, is very charming and did everything she could to make our stay more comfortable. She even offered all her guests one evening a bbq which turned out to be a very heart-warming experience. Greatly recommended!

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Ann, DworpAug 2016

We returned to Prato di Sotto for the second time this summer and will be back again. We love the spacious, characterful and comfortable houses, the beautifully tended garden, the fabulous pool, the staggering views and the fact that you are within easy reach of some of the world's finest works of art. Penny is a delightful and helpful hostess who will direct you to the best shops, cafes and restaurants in the area.

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Patsy, LondonJul 2016

Scented paths, gardens and patios encompass the buildings and extend to breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside. The personally decorated and welcoming accommodation is spacious, comfortable and well appointed. Cosy fireplaces, shelves of books and tantalizing views through the windows compete with balconies and flowered terraces for your presence. A haven of calm and beauty created by its owner, Penny, whose knowledge of the region and genuine interest in her guests can advise on trips, walks and restaurants. An idyllic hideaway at any time of the year.

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Jane, ChantillyJul 2016

We are a family of four. This was a wonderful week for all four of us. La Terrazza was very comfortable and well equipped and the view was spectacular. Penny was a marvellously friendly host, providing knowledgable information on anything required. The setting is second to none and Penny has done wonders to make Pratto Di Sotto into a beautiful relaxing place to stay. Unreservedly recommended and somewhere that certainly goes onto our very highly selected shortlist of holiday accommodation that we will return to in the near future.

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William, LondonJul 2016

Tucked away in the Umbrian hills is the wonderful Prato Di Sotto. Lovingly created by Penny wonderful gardens surround the farmhouses that have magical views of the Umbrian hills. Spacious, private, self-catering beautifully decorated farmhouses. Swim in the large pool or lounge under umbrellas or those who wish to be more active there are great walks around Pratto Di Sotto or go further afield and visit the ancient towns. Penny's knowledge of the area is remarkable and her help invaluable. A place to relax, a place to rest, a place to explore. Pratto Di Sotto is idyllic.

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Lisa, MelbourneJul 2016

This was our 5th visit to Prato Di Sotto - which is an indication of just good it is. We have previously always stayed at the La Capanna cottage and loved its position and view - it's an ideal romantic place for a couple.
But as this was to be a family holiday, we decided to book the large house Casa Antica this time.
It was an absolute pleasure to have this traditional stone farmhouse, together with its balcony and terrace, all to ourselves. The ground floor was ideal for my elderly parents as they had their own bedrooms, even a bathroom each. We dined on the terrace every night

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Paulette, LondonJul 2016

A blissful place to discover, hidden in the Umbrian hills with spectacular views and an ensemble of garden, pool and beautifully thought out accommodation that together immediately makes you unwind. It's the perfect base for seeking out some of the best early Renaissance art in the world - we did the Piero della Francesca trail - with a cornucopia of treasures in different nearby towns making for memorable days out. Equally good for wine exploration if you prefer that, you are staying less than two hours from the home of Brunello - refreshment for the Gods!

The neighbourhood

Visit our beautiful benedictine monastery just a lovely 40 minute walk from here.It is a closed order with just 16 monks and a beautiful chapel with services every day. A non forgettable experience.

We are surrounded by wonderful walks in every direction and Penny the Owner has many maps and information on these and will take you on a guided walk. Dogs can be borrowed for Dogwalking !

Umbertide our local Town has 2 good Foodmarkets. Wednesday is the Main one and on Saturday morning our new local producers organic market. Featering a good range of cheeses, oliveoil, honey, homemade jams and fresh vegetables.

Penny will point you in the directon of several very good local vineyards and you can discover the amazing quality of little known umbrian wines.Tastings can be arranged.

Our Area is ful of amazing historic buildings and castles. Prato di Sotto looks over the 14. Century fortified hamlet of Santa Giuliana a real treasure.

We can arrange Horseriding and Golf. Both within 20minute drive in beautiful locations.Penny will come riding with you to explore the chestnut woods of the area and we can even see an etruscan tomb hidden in the woods an architectural gem.